Lush. Like a ripe pear.

As ever, totally gorgeous Champagne. One whiff and you know this is serious stuff. The aromas of baking brioche, coconut, candied citrus and leather pick up roasted coffee and grilled nuts on the palate. Decanter December 2014 - 19 (96) because it's been blended from 10 differents vintages and 47 differents wines from 25 crus, Krug is a super multi-vintage of its own kind. The extremely tough acidity, together with the heavy rich Krug aromas, are unique. This bottle had a fabulous complex nose on the palate, dominated by nuts and honey. They aftertaste was acidic, long and majestic, like a great symphony.

A delicious zero dosage wine from Ayala, showcasing quality and finesse. (Sugar can hide a multitude of sins, but you shall find neither in your Brut Nature.) Those who find it too austere should pair it with shellfish (oysters especially) or sushi.

I have yet to experience a bottle of Louis Roederer Brut Premier that did not taste deliciously superior and ready to drink.' Jancis Robinson

The white Pineau is 80% from Colombard and 20% from Ugni Blanc

Jancis Robinson MW "Well done!" Parker's Wine Advocate "One of Champagne's finest houses, Pol Roger produces among the most consistent ranges of all the Grandes Marques. The style is full-bodied and elegantly fleshy, dominated by Pinot Noir... the maison privileges its NV Brut Réserve - and indeed, while many non-vintage Bruts fluctuate in quality, Pol Roger's "white foil" bottling is both remarkably reliable and long-lived—which ranks as one of the region's best values."

This is the much requested special ingredient in James Bond’s vesper martini recipe: 3 gin, 1 grain vod, ½ lillet. Served in a champagne goblet shaken, large twist of lemon.

A splendid red aperitif from the Bordeaux region, Lillet Rouge is less famous than its Blanc sister (so beloved of James Bond) and will add welcome pep to your Manhattans and Negronis.

The La Croix Renaud Sancerre Rouge is from a .5 ha parcel of Pinot Noir that is entirely hand-harvested and aged in older barrels.

90-92 points Wine Advocate "The 2017 Kaya Blanc is equal parts Carignan Blanc, Carignan Gris, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, half aged in tank and half in barrel. Bright, clean notes of orange and lime zest mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich and round, balanced by brine and zest notes on the lengthy finish.

Star Grand Cru village of the Cotes des Blancs. Green apple fresh with plenty of golden toasty nutty richness.

Slight copper hue, spicy, ripe fruit, crème brulée, full-flavoured but delicate & charming. Fine persistent mousse. Totally enjoyable and quite typical of the black-grape dominated Montagne de Reims style.

Slinky smooth with ruby-bright fruit

Smart and serious with a hint of oak.

Mt de Reims, 70% Pinot, vines border Krug’s Clos d’Ambonnay (£2k a bot). Wine Advocate “broad shoulders and expansive personality… totally delicious”. Janics loves it.